The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-05-26
The Flying Dutchman.
New York Sun.

From the day l set foot on the
decks of the good ship Bardwell, sail
ing from Boston around Cape Horn l
heard OF the Flying Dutchman. AS a
boy believed in all the yarns, but by
the time was out of my apprentice
ship came to take these stories for
what they were worth. lam going to
tell you, however, that l really saw
as mysterious a craft as the t1adi-
tional ghost ship, and that if my eyes
were deceived SO were the optics OF a
whole ships company.
In April, 1868, l was mate OF an
English whaling bark called the Lord
Rossmore, Capt. Pierce Mcconnell,
and we were off the mouth OF the
Amazon. We had been out three
months, and were having q big run OF
luck. The weather seemed to be made
for our special benefit. There was
day after day of good working winds
and smooth seas, and there was no
lay in which we did not sight whales.
On the day OF which | wish to
speak particularly we had killed
two fine whales. and by even
ing both we're alongside and the sea
was as calm as mill-pond. We eshould
have begun the cutting-in rocess at
once, but the decks were not yet clear
OF the last whale, while the men were
so worn out that they clamored for
nights rest. The barometer was high,
the sea smooth, and the captain is
suel orders for all the men to knock
IS ha 0H tph
should have their hunks, while the on
watch could sleep on deck while on
duty. There wasn't wind enough to
drift us, and consequently we had no
fear OF any vessels except steamers,
and they would hardly run us down
on such a clear night that our ship
could be seen mile away. l own that
as soon as the vessel grew quiet | went
to sleep on my post, and that slept
for long hour When awoke it was
with chill ofapprehension. felt that
something was very wrong, and at once
inspected the decks from stem to stern.
The men OF my watch were stretched
out here and there all fast asleep,
and everything seemed all fright. We
had q whale on either side, and they
were riding buoyantly, while half a
dozen sharks were tearing at their
rough hides Our night lights were all
right, everything safe from fire, and |
called myself fool for thinking that
ANYTHING was wrong. Nevertheless
continued worried and nervous, and
the desire to sleep left me entirely.
1t might have been halt an hour aft
er my wakening, and l was softly pac-
ing the deck, taking in its whole length,
when a large, square-rigged ship, with
every sail set, and seemeng to draw,
came out of the darkness to the north
east. She had a bone in her teeth,
and her hull was careened over two or
three streaks by the pressure of the
wind, and for the moment | forgot
where | was and the circumstances
which surrounded me. The ship stood
down to pass under our quarter, and
never took my eyes off her for an in
slant. She came swiftly, but there
was ghost-like movement that sent
chills over me. AS If she were real
ship, and as if q genuine topsail
breeze were blowing. on came the
stranger, and as she was within a
cables length she shifted her helm q
bit, and the two craft were broadslde
ON for a moment. There were twenty
five or thirty men at the ships port
rail watching us in true sailor fashion,
and on the quarter deck l saw the
captain surveying us through his
niSl t glasses. could see that he was
an old man, having long white locks
and long white beard. Why, sir,
would stake my life on what | saw,
though it would be useless to try to
make you believe it. Just as the stern
of the ship was passing me her cap
tain raised his hand, as if the motion
accompanied an order, and there was
rush of the men to execute it. Sail
was taken in while you can snap your
finger, and the helm was put down,
and the ship came into the wind. She
wasn't a stones throw away then,
and my eyes were still on her, when
some one behind me hoarsely exclaim-
ed:
my God Mr.. Merwin, but did you
ever see the likes Of it?"
turned to see one OF the men be-
hind me. turned from him again to
the strange craft, and she was gone!
It took me two or three minutes to
realize that there was no wind and no
sea, and that no ship could have ma
nmuvered as she did, and then asked
of the man:
"Jones, what did you seer"
II got chill, sir, though it's warm
enough, as we all know, and awoke
to find you looking off at the water.
AS stood ON my feet | saw the ship,
and was right behind you when she
shortened sail and came up"
"And where is she now?"
"Gone, sir. That's q ghost ship,
sir. and we are all in for bad luck"
could have kicked myself for be-
lieving what saw. went after the
glasses, and just as l got them the
lashings holding the whale on the port
side gave way with great crash, the
| bark keeled to the starboard with the
weight of the other fish, and as she
rocked back the other lashlngs parted,
and we ran to the rails port and
starboard, in time to seq the whales
sink out of sight. The whole crew
were aroused and the captain storm
ed in q terrible way, but as no one was
to blame no one could be censured.
Next day it was known throught he ship
that the Flying Dutchman had been
sighted, and. strangely enough, there
was not skeptic. The captain made
me relate the details over twice. and
then he ordered sail ON the bark and we
stood down the BRAZILIAN coast for
| 150 miles. The whales had suddenly
left us, and it was exactly nine days
before the ory OF "There she blows!'
was heard again. We lowered for a
forty barrel whale and got him, and
our old-time enthusiasm returned.
We had got him tried out and the
decks cleaned up when it came on q
cain, night again, The men had q
long rest, and every one OF the watch
was wide awake, when, at about IL
| o'clock, with everything quiet allow
and aloft, the lookout suddenly call
| ed:
There's a big ship close aboard OF
us on the starboard bowl"
Every man sprany UP, we an rushed
| forward III g bodvi and there Dlain